HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOREDC 001 2021/01/05 (2020-2022) PORT OFT E
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS,
RELATIONS,AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: January 5, 2021 Re: Comm. No. 37
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 5:14 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations, and Economic Development, to which
was referred Communication No. 37, reports as follows:
Transmitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, via Communication No. 37, dated December 8, 2020,
submitting for the Council's review and confirmation the appointment of Ms. Elizabeth A. Strance
as Corporation Counsel. .
Mayor Roth said he was excited to introduce Judge Strance to the Council. With over 30 years of
legal experience and over 10 years "on the bench" as a judge, she was more than qualified to
take on the position of Corporation Counsel. Judge Strance earned her law degree from Lewis
and Clark College Law School in 1987 and was admitted to the Hawaii Bar Association in 1988.
Judge Strance was available via Zoom for the meeting and she thanked Mayor Roth for selecting
her for this position. She emphasized her collaborative style of working and laid out her
preference for mediation over trials for resolving issues. She also noted that that she is well
versed in providing independent, candid advice to clients even when that advice is not always
something they want to hear.
Several Council Members praised Judge Strance's glowing recommendations and extensive
resume. Others who know her personally were able to highlight her ongoing commitment to
equity and fairness.
Pursuant to Article VI, Section 6-5.2 of the Hawaii County Charter, "The corporation counsel
shall be appointed by the mayor, confirmed by the council and may be removed by the mayor
with the approval of council. The corporation counsel shall be an attorney licensed to practice
and in good standing before the Supreme Court of the State of Hawai'i."
Eight Council Members voted aye and Council Member Lee Loy voted "kanalua," aye.
GOREDC Report No. I
GOREDC-1 Page 2 January 5,2021
Your Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations, and Economic Development is in
accord with the purpose and intent of Communication No. 37, and recommends confirmation of
the appointment of Ms. Elizabeth A. Strance as Corporation Counsel.
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AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
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CHUNG x
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DAVID x COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
INABA x OPERATIONS, RELATIONS, AND
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER x ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT i
KIERKIEWICZ x
KIMBALL x
LEE LOY x ATHER L. IMBALL, CHAIR
RICHARDS x GOREDC REPORT NO.: 1
VILLEGAS x ADOPTED: JAN ® 021
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